Top 50 players

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With training camp on the verge of going full blast and exhibition games starting already before we know it, the regular season will be here soon.

But before we get to that, let's take a look at the top individual players based on expectations for this season. You won't agree with all of it. You might not agree with any of it.

Nevertheless, here's a look at the SportsLine.com's Top 50 players going into the 2003-2004 season.

1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs: The two-time MVP now has two rings and nearly had a quadruple-double in 2003 Finals clincher. Any more questions?

2. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves: Duncan nosed out Garnett for MVP by the slimmest of margins, and K.G. is still getting better.

3. Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers: If Shaq is in shape and focused, he's by far the best player -- make that No. 1 and No. 1A.

4. Kobe Bryant, Lakers: He does it all on both ends of the floor, but the sexual assault case is overshadowing basketball at the moment.

5. Tracy McGrady, Orlando Magic: He's right on Bryant's heels as the great all-around player, and if his back is right, he'll improve again.

6. Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets: The prototype point guard, he has back-to-back East titles and a now nine-figure contract. Is a championship next?

7. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers: He is the people's choice as the leave-it-all-on-the-floor overachiever at barely 6-feet, 165 pounds.

8. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks: He's a star of the 21st century -- a 7-footer who runs the floor and shoots from the perimeter like a guard.

9. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics: Unlimited shooting range and great strength in the post, he is as tough a player as there is to prevent from scoring.

10. Chris Webber, Sacramento Kings: Knee surgery has caused him to slip this far. A remarkable all-around talent at power forward.

11. Jermaine O'Neal, Indiana Pacers: Still only 24, he is climbing the charts with great skills at both ends of the floor and his shooting range is improving.

12. Ray Allen, Seattle SuperSonics: One of the great guys in the game, sometimes, his off-the-floor brilliance overshadows his on floor talent.

13. Stephon Marbury, Phoenix Suns: Rapidly becoming the most explosive scoring point guard in the game, and the team is climbing along with him.

14. Steve Francis, Houston Rockets: Very similar to Marbury in skills, he's still figuring out how to be a point guard in this league but getting close.

15. Gary Payton, Lakers: At 35, he's still an All-Star performer and will make the Lakers that much better offensively and defensively.

16. Jamal Mashburn, New Orleans Hornets: The best small forward in the game, he handles the ball and shoots like a guard with a power forward's body.

17. Yao Ming, Rockets: He only scratched the surface last year with special skills packed into a 7-5, 300-pound body. His potential is endless.

18. Peja Stojakovic, Kings: Perhaps the best pure shooter in the game, his rebounding is underrated, and he defends better than you think.

19. Shawn Marion, Suns: Another special talent whose unorthodox shooting and ball-handling sometimes blur just how good he really is.

20. Baron Davis, Hornets: A natural point guard with extraordinary strength and floor savvy, knee and back problems have dropped him this far.

21. Rasheed Wallace, Portland Trail Blazers: Every bit as talented as the other great power forwards, if his head is on straight, he is a superstar.

22. Elton Brand, Los Angeles Clippers: Undersized as a power forward, he makes up for it with long arms and great skills. He is another off-court star.

23. Vince Carter, Toronto Raptors: When healthy, he is a top 10 player, at least, with staggering jumping ability and superior shooting range. We'll see.

24. Karl Malone, Lakers: Now at the big 4-0, the Mailman still delivers, just a little later. He is the best power forward ever.

25. Steve Nash, Mavericks: He is relentless pushing the ball and delivering to his teammates, and capable of scoring big himself.

26. Antoine Walker, Celtics: He should be every bit as good as Mashburn, if not better. He just doesn't move as well or perform as consistently.

27. Michael Finley, Mavericks:Were it not for persistent hamstring problems, he, too, could be higher. A very quiet star.

28. Kenyon Martin, Nets: The jury is still out as he fizzled late in the Finals, but a superior defender and improving rebounder.

29. Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons: The best defensive power forward and rebounder in the game would rank higher with any kind of offense.

30. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland Cavaliers: Talent-wise, he's probably top 15, but chronic foot problems always bring him down in the pack.

31. Mike Bibby, Kings: This is a key year to prove whether it was the fractured foot, or the 2003 playoffs were just a fluke.

32. Pau Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies: He keeps improving every year and is just loaded with talent on a 7-foot frame that needs to get stronger.

33. Latrell Sprewell, Timberwolves: This will be his second rebirth, and the 'Wolves are counting on him to raise their level of play.

34. Ron Artest, Pacers: Like Rasheed Wallace, if he ever gets his head straightened out, he's a superstar instead of a sometimes star.

35. Allan Houston, New York Knicks: Another superior shooter, knee surgery will delay his season somewhat, or he would be ranked a little higher.

36. Nick Van Exel, Golden State Warriors: People either love him or hate him, but nobody denies Nicky's talent and confidence -- just consistency.

37. Antawn Jamison, Mavericks: A great natural scorer moving to a team full of scorers should make for an interesting mix.

38. Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Atlanta Hawks: He puts up great numbers, but he is clearly a great talent who makes you want to go, "huh?"

39. Richard Hamilton, Pistons: He proved last season that he'll be a big-time scorer for a long time -- inside and outside.

40. Vlade Divac, Kings: He doesn't get in good enough condition, but his skills and leadership remain invaluable to the Kings.

41. Brian Grant, Miami Heat: Playing out of position (center), he's still a workhorse and a double-double machine.

42. Brad Miller, Kings: The heir apparent to Divac, acquiring him will help inside as a kinder, gentler version of Bill Laimbeer.

43. Amare Stoudemire, Suns: The best performance ever by a kid right out of high school, we'll see if he adds some finesse to the power.

44. Chauncey Billups, Pistons: If it weren't for an ankle injury, he would have been the surprise star of the playoffs. He's coming on fast.

45. Jerry Stackhouse, Washington Wizards: A great natural scorer, he still has to prove he can lead a young team and help them win.

46. Richard Jefferson, Nets: He came on strong his second season on the offensive end as a starter. He was a steal for this team.

47. Bonzi Wells, Trail Blazers: He's as tough in the post as any guard in the league and a great streak shooter ... just very erratic.

48. Glenn Robinson, Philadelphia 76ers: A great mid-range scorer, it will be interesting to see how he fits in with Iverson.

49. Rashard Lewis, SuperSonics: They badly need him to take the next step to stardom; a marvelously talented shooter and jumper.

50. Gilbert Arenas, Wizards: He had a great second season, wanted big money and got it from the Wiz. Now we'll see if he's worth it.

Honorable mention: Reggie Miller, Pacers; Sam Cassell, Timberwolves; Jalen Rose, Chicago Bulls; Troy Murphy, Warriors; Antonio Davis, Raptors; Dale Davis, Trail Blazers; Ricky Davis, Cavaliers; Tony Parker, Spurs; Alonzo Mourning, Nets; Jason Terry, Hawks; Eddy Curry, Bulls.


By Mike Kahn
SportsLine.com Executive Editor

http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/6688311

재미로 보세요. 시간이 없어서 해석은 못합니다. 좋은 하루 되세요.

[레지날드 웨인밀러#31]

아오~아깝다 레지..

[Duncan.you are the best!]

호호 던컨..any more questions?? 표현이 참 멋져용~~

[Falling Minnesota]

에디가 없다.. ㅡㅡ; 이럴수가.. 이건 개사귀야~~~~!!!!!!!

[【NO.5】jason kidd]

야오밍이 페자보다 위? 비스트보다도?,,, 인정몬함 따지고 싶지만 영어가 되야..ㅡㅡ;

[어린아이]

노비의 8위 ㅡㅜ 근데 재미슨이 없네요.

[SwingMan33]

카터가 23위... when healthy... 안타깝군요

[방화범정대만]

-_-;; 인정하기 참으로 어려운 너무나 주관적인 순위같네요;;;

[dikembe]

제이미슨 37위에있는데...글구...역시 센터의 부제..야오가 17위라니..카터가 top10밖이란건...이런이런...이번시즌에 몬가 보여줄겠죠..

[정현철^^]

야오밍이 너무 높게 평가되었내요..

[[Card*하경우*]]

-_-;; 야오밍이 17위라. 쿨럭;; 핍이 없군요

[㈜ JORDAN 23]

포지션별로 비교하는것도 상당히 논란이 많은데 포지션 불문하고 순위를 매기는게 말이 되나? -_-;;; 마이크 칸이라는 사람이 물론 저보다야 NBA에 대해 훨씬 박식하겠지만 가끔 그의 글을 보면 혹시 올리버 칸이 쓴게 아닌지 의심을 하게 된다는 ㅡ,.ㅡ;

[KO공BE행]

몇몇의 경우를 제외하고는 상당히 정확하네요...그리고 야오가 그렇게 높게 평가받는것은 물론 제작년 시즌은 프랜차이즈가 경기를 많이 결장했지만 성적이 낮은 팀을 그래도 많이 올려놔서가 아닐까요~!!!

[KG+Spree=champ]

야오...할말없게 만드는군여....1위부터 5위까지는 어느정도 예상이 된 순위라 볼수있겠네여

[THE TRUTH]

워커가 26위... ㅇ.ㅁ.. 오오 피어스가 탑텐에 드는구나..

[gonny]

당근이죠. 피어스 짱입니다요~~~~~

[No.15 Sky Walk]

oh shit nba 최고의 인기스타인 빈스가 23위,,, 오프시즌좀 빨리끝나지 왜일케 기냐 --^

[폴 피어스,]

피어스는 5,6위감인데_-ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[우승하자웨버]

웨버가 9위라서 쫌 안타깝네영,,, 근데 킹스 주전이 4명이있네ㅡㅡ;

[살뺐다 오닐]

야오의 순위가 압박이긴 하지만... 20-10을 무난히 찍는 동양인 센터를 조만간 구경할수 있을듯합니다... 우리에게는 절대 좋은일이 아니라는 사실을 이번에 뼈져리게 느꼈죠...ㅜㅜ;; 이러다간 몇년안에 탑10안에 이름을 올리수도..ㅜㅜ;; 부럽습니다...

[농구조아~]

일단 야오밍 있으면 차이니즈 위엔화 버니까...ㅡㅡ

[산전수전]

피어스...올라운더지만 아직까진 코비 아이버슨 티맥의 아성에는...